Infant nursing unit



Sept. 27, 1960 J. w. JOZWIAK INFANT NURSING UNIT illlllIIIllllllllllllllllllllllll Lulu-"mum m 8 9 l l 3 h C r a M d e n 0 F 4 5/ Z /Z C II o I INVENTOR JOHN W. JOZWIAK ATTORNEYS United States Patent INFANT NURSING UNIT John W. Jozwiak, 702 E. Knapp St., Milwaukee, Wis.

Filed Mar. 31, 19 s, Ser. No. 725,092 6 Claims. or. 128-252) The present invention relates to an infant nursing unit, and, in particular, is directed to a unit comprising a combination of separable, interfitting and interrelated elements which may be combined to provide an improved teether-pacifier and which may be separated in part to be recombined to provide an infant feeding unit for a'nursing bottle or container.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved infant nursing unit capable of being separated into interrelating elements when combined in cooperating relationship for use as an infant feeder unit, and which unit may further be adapted for combination with additional interfitting and cooperating elements for use as a teether-pacifier.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved infant feeder comprising a nipple member having an elongated hollow portion protruding there- .from defining a peripheral cross-section along the major portion of its longitudinal axis providing opposed; relatively flat mouth-engaging surfaces for greater distribution of pressure and contact with infant gums during feeding therefrom.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved infant nursing unit including a convertible hollow nipple member capable of being adapted for use in connection with a container to provide an infant feed ing unit and which may be converted for use as a teetherpacifier by insertion therein of a strengthening, conforming, plug-like member, and which interfitting members may be seated in a retaining member having a relatively broad base surface extending radially outwardly therefrom to prevent swallowing of the unit by the infant and .as a means of aiding in retention of saliva within the confines of the infants mouth.

'It is still another object of the present invention to provide an infant nursing unit comprising a convertible nipple or bit member of extended cross section along its longitudinal axis for relatively greater contact by an infant using the same, which member may be comprised of materials capable of being refrigerated for increased comfort when used as a pacifier, and which will be readily accepted by an infant as a teether-pacifier on conversion from a feeding unit already familiar to the infant, and which nursing unit comprises interrelating parts which may be separated and individually sterilized and which parts are readily replaceable. 1

Referring now to the drawing:

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevational view of an infant nursing unit embodying the present invention and including two interrelating members of the unit combined .with a nursing bottle for use as a feeder unit;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines '22 of Fig. 1, illustrating, in particular, a preferred .nipple construction; Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the improved infant nursing unit with its various components being combined in interfitting and interrelating relationship to provide a teether-pacifier device;

Fig. 4 is an elevational sectional view of the teetherpacifier unit of Fig. 3 taken along lines 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the various interrelating and interfitting components of the improved infant nursing unit in relative position prior to assembly as a teether-pacifier device;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the nipple orbit member taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4.

The improved nursing unit of the present invention preferably comprises a series of interrelating and interfitting members capable of assembly in part to provide a feeding device as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and as a teether-pacifier, the components of which are illustrated in Figs. 3-5, and which comprise a retainer member 10 which may be of a relatively hard substance such as hard rubber, or of any of many known plastic compositions, including phenolic condensation compositions, and which may be of any desired color and degree of hardness. Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 4, it will be seen that the ring-like retainer member 10 is preferably internally threaded at 11 and arranged for threading engagement with external threads 12 of an infant nursing bottle or container 13. The ring-like member 10 also includes a flat base portion 14 at one end thereof defining a central opening or aperture for slidably receiving a nipple orbit member 15 to be seated therein as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. A radially extending, serrated, flange portion 16 is also preferably providedfor ease in gripping the retainer member 10 during application to and removal from the bottle 13.

The nipple or bit 15 is preferably provided with a radially extending fia'nged portion 17 acting as'a sealingand cushioning gasket between the retainer member 10 and the bottle 13; Tlrenipple or bit 15 is more clearly illustrated with reference to Fig. 2, and preferably contains a substantially coextensive bore divided into adjacent chamber portions 18:and.19 each terminating respectively in end wall openings 20 and 21 and being defined by a longitudinally extending, supporting, web 22. The preferred construction provides an improved nipple 15 having an extended cross section which is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 including opposed mouth-contacting surfaces 23 and 24 extending along the longitudinal axis of the nipple. In suchpreferred construction it is also preferred to provide the supporting web 22 which will satisfactorily resist collapsing of the nipple during feeding when attached to the bottle 13, or if used Without a plug member, as will be hereinafter described. It will be apparent, however, that the nipple 15 may be constructed to include a single hollow chamber, if so desired, and where a material is selected that will withstand pressures tending to collapse the same. The nipple is preferably of conventional nipple material, and may be made of rubber or any of many known resilient plastic materials. It is preferred, however, to provide a nipple 15 having the cross section shown in Fig. 6, which generally defines the two opposed relatively flat surfaces 23 and 24 throughout the length of the nipple to provide a relatively greater surface distribution substantially conforming to the coacting infant gums and teeth, and having special application to irritating infant teethingperiods.

Referring in particular to the teether-pacifier construction illustrated in Figs. 3 through 6, the nipple or bit member 15 is arranged to be seated in the retainer member 10 in the 'same manner as shown in the feeder unit of Figs. 1 and 2, and is adapted to interfit with a plug member 26 having protruding plug portions 27 and '28 arranged to substantially conform to and be received by the chambers 18 and 19 ofwthe nipple or bit 15. The plug member 26-may be of the same material as the nipple, or may be of a relatively harder material to provide additional firmness ther to. In addition to pro viding added .firmness, the inserted plug member .portions 27 and 28, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, prevent withdrawal of air from the openings 20 and 21. Ohviouslv, -.if :the nipple or Ebit .is not intended ato be used as a feeder, it.may'be provided without theopenings 20 :and 2:1. suchropcningsmaylbeimade, if so desired, by insertion of aheated needle, accordingto the usual practice .in the .caseof infant feeding nipples. it will also be apparent that a plug member having a single.protruding plug vportion (not shown) may be used for nipples having a single bore (not shown), or maybe adapted for uselwith conventional nipples having a.circular bore and cross section (not shown) if sodesired.

The plug member 26 .is preferably provided with a hQ lQW chamber 29 for conservationof material and ease in v rn lding, and for providing a tighter fit when combined inseating relationship with a cap :member 30, as will hereinafter bedescribed.

Acap member 30 may be provided with an apertured, integral boss or protrusion 31 .for slidablyreceiving an ,endlessring 32, if desired, which ring serves as a means of grasping and .retention of the unit .by an infant when used as a .teetherrpacifier. As illustrated in Fig. 4 in isembled relationship of the .various cooperating parts when used as a teetherepacifier, the cap 30 is preferably hollow and internally threaded for releasable engagement with the threaded convolutions 33 externally of the retainer member for assembling the various members 10, 15, '26 and 30 in interrelating and interfitting relationship as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The hollow plug member 26 provides a degree of resilience for providing a biased, tight fit between the members. Thecap member 30 may be of the same material as the retainer member 10, and may be of conforming or matching color as desired. The retainer member 10 is preferably pro- .vided with the broad base surface 14 for prevention of swallowing of the unit by the teething infant, and also as a means of conforming with the infants mouth to retain saliva therein when used as a teether-pacifier.

Thus, the combination nursing unit finds ready use as a feeding device as shown in Figs. 1 and '2, and'including the assembly of the nipple 1S to the retainer member 10 for its ready releasable engagement with the feeder bottle or container 13.

When all of the components are arranged in the order shown in Fig. 5, and are assembled asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, the unit provides an improved teether-pacifier having a bit member -15 of increased cross sectional area defined by the opposed, spaced, relatively flat surfaces 23 and 24 which substantially conform to the shape of infant gums and provide a relatively increased surface for contact during teething periods. The device may be replaced, washed and sterilized in each of its various components.

It will be apparent that although the preferred embodiment described in connection with the drawing provides for threaded engaging means for assembly of the various parts, it is within the province of this invention to provide other means which may be clipped or otherwise lockedtogether (not shown) orheld in place relative to one another and to nursing containers. In addition, it will be apparent that the nipple member of the :present invention may be adapted for inclusion of any of the various well known air valves or anti-colic devices (not shown) or improvements of the like presently incorporated in conventional nursing feeder units.

I claim:

;1. In an infant nursing unit the combination of separable interfitting members comprising a retainer member including a base portion defining an aperture, an internally threaded ringportion integral with and projecting from said base portion being arranged for threading engagement with a nursing container; and an elongated nipple memberhaving a radially extending flange in seating engagementadjacent said'base portion within the said ring .portionof said retainer-member, said nipple member protruding through .the said base portion aperture of said retainer member and being provided with a longitudinal bore divided into two separate chambers by means of a substantially coextensive integrally formed supporting web, the peripheral cross section of said nipple member being defined by substantially flat opposed parallel planes longitudinally ofsaid nipplemember.

2. In a combination infant nursing unit and pacifier he co b na i o a sqrie o separable nte fit t s :illi bers comprising a retainer member including a base portion defining an aperture, a ring portion integral with and projecting from said base portion; an elongated nipple member having a radially extending flange in seating engagement adjacent said base portion within the said ring portion of said retainer member, said nipple member protruding through the said base portion aperture of said retainer member and being provided with a longitudinal bore; a plug member comprising a -uase portion supporting a projecting plug-portion removably inserted into and in substantial conformance with the walls of-the'bore of said nipple-member; and a cap member in seating engagement with said plug member and said nipple member and releasably engaging said retainermemberafor retaining each of saidrecited members in separable interfitting relationship relativeto one another.

3. 'In a combination infant nursing unit and pacifier the combination. of'a series of separable interfitting members comprising a retainer member including a base portion defining an aperture, an externally threaded ring portion integral with and projecting from said base portion; an elongated-nipple member having a radially extending flange in scatingiengagement adjacent saidbase portion within the said ring portion of said retainer member, said nipplemember protrudingthroughthe said base portion aperture of said retainer member-and being provided with a longitudinal bore; a plug membercomprising a base portion supporting a projecting plug portion removably inserted into and insubstantial conformance with the wall of the bore of said nipple member; and a threaded cap member in-seating engagement with said plug member and said nipple-member in releasablethreading engagement .with the said external threads of said retainer membenfor retaining eachof said recited members in separable interfitting" relationshiprelative to one another.

4. In a combination infant nursing -unit and pacifier the combination of a series of separable i-nterfitting members comprising a retainer member including a baseportion defining an aperture, and an externally threaded ring portion integral with and projecting from said base portion; an elongated-nipple member having a radially extending flange in seating engagement adjacent said base portion within the said ring portionof saidretainer'memher, said nipple member protruding through thesaid base portion aperture of said retainer-member and being providedwith a longitudinal bore dividedinto'two separate chambers by means of asubstantially coextensive integrally formedsupporting web; a plug member comprising a base portion supportingprojecting plug portions removably inserted into and in-substantial conformance with the walls of the separate bore chambers of said nipple member; and a threaded,caprnernberinseatingengagement with said-plug member and said-nipple member and in releasable threading engagement with the said external threads of said retainer member for-retainingpach of'said recited members in separable interfitting relationship-rela- =tive to one another.

5. In a combinationinfant nursing unit and pacifier the combination of a series of separable=interfittingmembers comprising a retainer member includinga baseportion defining an aperture, and an externallythreaded .ring portion'integral with and-projectingfrom said'base portion; an elongated nipple member having a radially extending flange in seating engagement adjacent said base portion within the said ring portion of said retainer member, said nipple member protruding through the said base portion aperture of said retainer member and being provided with a longitudinal bore divided into two separate chambers by means of a substantially coextensive integrally formed supporting web, the peripheral cross section of said nipple member being defined by substantially flat opposed parallel planes longitudinally of said nipple member; a plug member comprising a base portion supporting projecting plug portions removably inserted into and in substantial conformance with the walls of the separate bore chambers of said nipple member; and a threaded cap member in seating engagement with said plug member and said nipple member and in releasable threading engagement with the said external threads of said retainer member for retaining each of said recited members in separable interfitting relationship relative to one another.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a nipple for an infant nursing unit comprising an elongated feeding por 1 tion having a longitudinal bore divided into two separate chambers by means of a coextensive integrally formed supporting web, the peripheral cross section of said feed: ing portion being defined by substantially flat opposed parallel planes longitudinally of said portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 131,130 Stevenson Sept. 3, 1872 582,159 Heller May 4, 1897 2,495,548 Revane J an. 24, 1950 2,546,681 Searer Mar. 27, 1951 2,743,727 Griesinger May 1, 1956 2,816,547 Adisman Dec. 17, 1957 2,816,548 Tupper Dec. 17, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 124,628 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1919 

